Blogging Mama

Popped Passion Customized Popcorn Cakes

2019-03-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

Life is better popped!

*We received a free Valentine's inspired customized popcorn cake in exchange for our honest review

February was a busy month for us. We had our youngest celebrate his 2nd birthday and several other things pop up. Since he was born on the 9th, I don't do much around Valentine's day other than celebrate his birthday and make some treats for the older kiddos.

This year was a little different because I made a special mini Valentine's party for the whole family and the kids enjoyed having their very own popcorn cake be the star of the show. Jon (pictured above) thought that this was HIS cake and he would not give it up for quite some time.

Everyone gathered all around the kitchen island to inspect this cute Insta-worthy popcorn that just screams all things Valentine's day and to take a bite already. Since we were just sharing as a family we didn't even bother with cutting into it and just picked pieces off that we wanted right away.

I was in awe to see the Valentine's colored sprinkles mixed with jelly beans, M&Ms, and white chocolate, among the occasional gummy bear and skittles. I secretly wished for more gummy bears as they were an added bonus to this perfect holiday or anytime treat.

The presentation of this popcorn cake was like none I had ever seen before but then again I have never ordered a cake to have shipped to me from out of state before. The cake itself was fully protected and then wrapped nicely to preserve freshness. To top that off it had an attractive bow. I was shocked at how fresh this popcorn cake was since we did not have it for maybe 4-5 days after it was shipped. The pairing of both salty and sweet was very desirable and I didn't hear any complaints.

Once we had enough, we simply placed it on the cake stand and covered it up. It lasted maybe a day or two after we opened it because it was just that good. We enjoyed it just as you might eat a popcorn ball. It was a little sticky due to the marshmallow mixed in but we didn't care.

A similiar popcorn cake in the shape of a heart

If you head on over to www.poppedpassion.com you can use the code Thanks2019 today for $5 off of your order! Here is a link to all that you can order right now for Popcorn Cakes. These are unique and perfect for just about anything you can think of from birthday cakes, anniversaries, client gifts, movie night, holidays, or just because.

If you're like me and just have Amazon gift cards to be spent you can also order your cake over on this Amazon Popped Passion Popcorn Cake link. Good thing is - free shipping!

Watch below as my 8 year old unboxes our yummy cake for my followers...

Supporting businesses owned by women is important to me and Maria Bailey has done so much for others that this post just had to be made to show some appreciation for all she does. Thanks again, Maria!

Beech-Nut® Naturals™ - Mommy Party

2018-11-12T17:29:00.001-08:00

*I was selected to host a Mommy Party for Beech-Nut® Naturals™ through BSM Media. I received free product and/or compensation for being a host and making informational postings.

Are you concerned about what may or may not be in your little ones baby food? Do you ever look on the back of a baby food jar and read a long list of ingredients that you cannot pronounce or understand what it might be?

If so, let me introduce to you...Beech-Nut® Naturals™ real food for babies™ which only features ingredients you can pronounce. Beech-Nut® Naturals™ is inspired by homemade as it is made with real fruits and vegetables, just like you would use at home. It is 100% natural, nothing artificial, and it's also available in organic.

When I received my Mommy Party box and finally got around to unboxing it I knew it was just going to be so much fun.

I was pleasantly surprised with everything included in the box from the recipes and craft ideas to the baby food and party supplies.

The plan was to make treat bags and have a small Halloween party for parents and their babies/toddlers as they were out trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. I thought being in costume would make it more fun for everyone and it could be a come and go type of party. That idea quickly washed away as we had yet another Halloween downpour and very few guests. I don't blame them because I also did not want to bring my toddler out into the rain to trick or treat.

I then put out a plea on my community website looking for parents with little ones who eat baby food and would be interested in picking up a bag for their child. Amazingly it worked out quite well and over the past few weeks I am getting to know several new parents in my neighborhood that otherwise I may not meet on my own.

Here are some of the ladies that have participated and were willing to share photos with me. I have more that will be coming in within a week or two and I will share those if they allow me to.

I've enjoyed the conversations I've had with these ladies and others on my social postings about Beech-Nut® Naturals™. Some were first time parents and others who have more than one child or currently expecting said this would be their go to baby food.

Links to check out (also highlighted throughout this post)

Beech-Nut on Facebook

Beech-Nut on Instagram

Beech-Nut on YouTube

Beech-Nut on Twitter

Beech-Nut on Pinterest

Beech-Nut website

Rubik's Briks TryaBox - Tryazon

2018-10-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

*I want to personally thank Tryazon & Strictly Briks for selecting me and my family to test and review Rubik's Briks for free! While we may have received free products, my opinions are my own!

So, I don't know about you, but as a young girl I remember always having a Rubik's Cube lying around. So challenging and oh so fun! To this day, someone is always fidgeting with a Rubik's Cube in our home. I would say it's probably one of the best ways to really challenge your brain and cure the boredom blues at the same time...until we received our TryaBox.

Upon receiving our package and opening up the box to reveal these brightly colored sets, it instantly took me back to my childhood. Even my children ranging in age from 8-14 were excited to check these Rubik's Briks sets out. They especially liked the Rubik's Cube featured on the front.

I think for my son and daughter, while they do enjoy a challenge, they just love making their own images and creations more than following the packaging.

They both said the pieces were similar to other products out there but in other ways they are in a class of their own. As you should be able to see in these photos, the pieces are flat and you push them down hard to get them to stay. They are harder to put on and take off of the building base.

I really enjoy watching my kids get creative and really concentrate on their creations. My son, Cameron made his own mini Rubik's Cubes using the different sets we received.

As a mom, I'm always looking for fun new toys and games to enjoy with my children. While these sets are challenging and tough to push down, I also think they would be perfect for a rainy day or any other time the kids might be bored. We will be working with these a lot more and when we get around to putting them together I will take more pictures. I will also be checking more of these sets out for future purchases.

* "Strictly Briks items are compatible with all major brands, including LEGO, DUPLO, Mega Bloks, and K'NEX brand sets."

Check out these links that are also scattered throughout my post to learn more about Strictly Briks:

Daily Goodie Box - Sponsored Post for October

2018-10-18T09:17:00.003-07:00

"Daily Goodie Box. It's more than just Free Samples!"

I just wanted to send a special thank you to Daily Goodie Box for sending me this box of goodies for free in exchange for a blog post and reviews.

*You can click each title for more information on the products featured in my October Daily Goodie Box.To register with Daily Goodie Box just click the quote above this paragraph.*

Daily Goodie Box reviews:

🔘KARMA Nuts Peri Peri roasted cashews - $10.99 - $31.80

What a delicious and healthier way to start my morning. I found that I just couldn’t put the bag down as I love cashews. I wish there were more in the 1.5 oz bag and I cannot wait to try some other varieties. So yummy! If I could change one thing I think maybe the amount of chili but I definitely recommend them.

🔘Gear Beast Smartphone Card Wallet - $9.99

I couldn’t believe how strong this smartphone card wallet is. I think compared to others I’ve used in the past this one has been the best so far. I love that you can use it for a hands free stand to watch videos as well as store loyalty cards and more. I honestly would not put money, ids, and other personal items in it just because it could slide out and I just don’t want to risk losing anything. I also love that it is compatible with other phones as well. If I had to change one thing in this wallet I think I’d like it to wrap around the phone to feel more secure in my hands. Something to note is that when you go to remove the wallet it bends a little. It’s not a big deal as it will re stick to the phone surface after you reapply it. Just thought I’d mention that.

🔘NightFood Midnight Chocolate Crunch Bars

I have tried this brand in the past and was hoping to change my mind on them. Here is what I thought:

I love that these bars help with both my chocolate/sweets cravings and hunger in the night. I also like the fact that I could eat a bar before bed and it wouldn’t keep me up all night.

I am not a huge fan of dark chocolate and the tough to chew texture the bars have. They are so chewy and hard to bite a piece off. Once you do get a bite, it isn’t really sweet. It is just bearable but also is not that bad if you enjoy chewy dark chocolate bars. I also think $23.99 is a bit steep for a box of them and would not purchase them based on that alone.

My original testing with this product

🔘Susan Brown’s Baby Sensitive Baby Foaming Shampoo & Body Wash - $11.99

First of all, I was impressed with a full sized multiple use product in my goodie box. Second, I just love it’s fresh baby powder scent. I think a freshly bathed baby is the best scent in this world and freshly laundered clothing is a close second. My son enjoys his bath time especially with bubbles and it doesn’t have to stop with the easy to pump bottle and gentle foam that comes from it. It lathers up perfectly when activated with water. My son splashed and played as I washed his hair and body. Some water trickled down his face and into his eyes and he didn’t cry or rub them as though they were irritated. He was soft and clean and smelled like fresh baby powder. Heaven! I would say that with the ingredients listed on the bottle that this product would most likely be good for my children who have several skin conditions/irritations to certain products. I’m looking forward to bath time again with my son and I might even swipe it for a bath or two on my own.

🔘Veroni - Iron Energy in Tutti Fruity

We received the Tutti Fruity flavor in the black can to try. I do not really drink energy drinks but do have other caffeinated beverages. The flavor wasn’t too bad but it was almost like drinking candy. It was sweet but not overwhelming. It didn’t make me feel jittery and didn’t have any noticeable bad aftertaste. I wouldn’t say I had anymore energy than a typical caffeinated beverage and I’m glad the ingredients listed on the can are a little better for you than you can expect in an energy drink. I couldn’t get a lot of information about the product from the website provided including price and locations you could purchase so I could tell others where you can get them. I personally would not buy this product but I know people that would if I had more information to share.

🔘Mint Matcha Green Tea by Pure Chimp - $25

I’m really enjoying this mint matcha green tea, it’s amazing! I already loved mint and green tea on their own and would’ve never thought combining the two would be even better. They balance one another out into the perfect blend of hot tea. I cannot wait to pair the matcha powder with some other suggestions on the packaging and I look forward to my next cup of tea. I can’t wait to see what this company comes up with next.

🔘Chosen Foods - Vegan Mayo on the Go - $8.39

I was pleasantly surprised the taste and texture of this vegan mayo was comparable to our mayo of choice. It was creamy and delicious plain and used on my avocado blt sandwich. The packets are the perfect size to take on the go and use whenever you need to add some flavor to your meals. I think I’ll be using vegan mayo more often now that I’ve tried these samples.

🔘ethical bean coffee classic medium roast - $8.99+

I really enjoyed everything about this coffee especially the fact that it came already ground up for me. The aroma straight out of the bag all the way to the coffee brewing was everything I’ve come to expect. The flavor was perfectly balanced as well but of course I always have my coffee with a milk and sugar of my choosing. The only thing I would like to be a little different is the instructions. If I’m in a rush, I’d like the correct measurements on the bag. I didn’t plan on having 4 cups of coffee at a time so then I had to divide it out for multiple uses.

🔘Coral White Tea Tree Toothpaste - $6.89

I’m going to first start off by saying that I am not a fan of tea tree oil. I have given multiple products several chances as I get adjusted to the flavor and it still is a no go, sadly. I do find it interesting that the packaging says that the added coral could help in remineralization. I did see a noticeably whiter smile as well as feel like I had fresher breath. For me, while it had cinnamon, I think the tea tree oil aftertaste was a bit much. Also, the price point was more than I’d be willing to pay for a tube of toothpaste. If you don’t mind tea tree oil or cinnamon then you may actually enjoy this toothpaste with all the added benefits from it.

🔘Daily Goodie Box overall review:

I’m always impressed with the amount of goodies inside and it seems like the boxes just get better and better each month. When I receive a full sized product to try it just makes me happier. By far the best sample box out there is Daily Goodie Box because they give so many different opportunities daily to try and win a box. I feel so spoiled! Thank you Daily Goodie Box and the brands who keep us asking for more to try.

Would you like to have a chance at receiving a Daily Goodie Box for yourself? They give chances all the time to receive one just make sure you've signed up at Daily Goodie Box and that your profile information has been updated. Also, check out the sponsored items that are included in that months' box. Visiting their social media channels and interacting with their posts gives you an even greater chance.
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Kitty Kick Stix Catnip Kicker Toy - Review and Giveaway!

2018-04-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

*Kitty Kick Stix was very generous in sending "Bear" & "Hans" their most popular 15" Kick Stix to test and review. While we did receive a product for free, all opinions are entirely my own!

(Our 15" Kitty Kick Stix)

Since adopting "Bear" at the end of the year last year, we quickly realized he was no ordinary cat. Here is a short story about his life journey and how he became our kitty.

Abandoned as an itty bitty tabby kitten with 1 sibling, they soon were taken in by Operation Pets Alive. His foster mom bottle fed him and helped him grow into the 5/6 month old kitten we would adopt later on.

(Such a cute little kitten he was!)

When we met "Bear" for the first time I just knew I had to have him. He was in one of those cat condos in a pet store and I always feel so guilty looking in at the kitties through the window. He seemed to be very playful but also very affectionate. I thought he would be the perfect fit for our wild and crazy family, so after much debate, we adopted him.

(Happy "Gotcha Day!")

Once we brought him home he was all over the place. He was so happy to be free from the confines of the kitty jail and had free roam of the house. It seemed like he never slept and was 100% wild cat all the time. He would run up and down the stairs and back and forth on the upstairs bridge all day long and probably half the night as well. He's crazy!

(Bear on the kitchen counter while I'm trying to make dinner)

Fast forward a few months to today and he's as wild as he was from day one. He plays a bit rough because he is still a kitten and learning how to control himself. He does still bite and scratch and loves to stir the dogs up all the time.

(Such a handsome young man!)

Recently we took in another foster. Most of the time it is a dog or 2 (sometimes a whole litter of puppies!) but this time it was an older lynx point named "Mr. Hahn." He is the total opposite of "Bear" in every way and could care less about roaming around the house. He is very calm and gentle. He spends a majority of his day just hanging out in my chair and has a bit of an attitude if you try and make him do something he does not want to do. He reminds me of my other lynx point "Misty" and I still miss her very much.

After I cared for "Hans" injured paw, (from some sort of attack that ended up getting infected before we received him. I thought it was broken with the way he would not use it at all.) and nursed him back to health, I started considering keeping him. This is still being discussed, but no matter what, he will be loved and have a great home even if it is not with us. He is a sweet cat!

(Getting some lovin')

We received our Kitty Kick Stix in the mail. As soon as I opened the packaging "Bear" came running and curious to smell what was inside.

We tried to do an unboxing video but failed several times because "Bear" decided he was going to be scared of the toy every time it came near him. This coming from a cat who will grab a rubber band attached to a balloon, a loaf of bread still in the bag, a sock, or a dart from my sons Nerf gun and run off with it running up and down the stairs a million times. We still need to try and attach the camera to him to show how crazy he gets. He also plays fetch either with one of us or by himself.

(The best I could get of him playing with Kitty Kick Stix. For weeks he would not even go near it and did not want it touching him at all!)

I then decided if he was going to jump high up in the air every time I brought the Kick Stix near him that I would just give it to "Hans" to cuddle with. Much to my surprise, this normally laid back cat started acting very playful and silly. He started doing what I expected "Bear" to do with the toy and it was very funny to watch.

So handsome!

I wanted to share both my opinion and information from the company directly to me.

I love supporting family owned businesses when I am able to. When reading more about the company, not only did I find that out about them, but how much love and care they put into each and every toy.

Our Kitty Kick Stix came to us as promised and smelling fresh of catnip. I would say so much so that "Bear" immediately had to come check it out. The fabric does seem of great quality, the stitching has not ripped, and the fabric has not torn anywhere with multiple play sessions by both cats. "Bear" is typically pretty rough and it has held up to his claws and teeth.

The person I was interacting with on Instagram as well as through email was very helpful and friendly. They were a great company to collaborate with and they get a glowing review from me just for their heart and passion for animals in need. Here is a little of our conversation that I would love to share with you.

"Starting in 2016, we have partnered with multiple rescue organization to donate a percentage of each order to a rescue of your choice. It’s a scary fact that each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats)

We want to help cats around the world find excitement and purpose, along with the facilities having enough financial help as possible to continue the service they provide. Of the cats entering shelters, approximately 37% are adopted, 41% are euthanized, and less than 5% of cats who came in as strays are returned to their owners. As part of the Kitty Kick Stix pledge, we will donate back to local rescues to help make a difference in a cat’s life.
https://www.kittykickstix.com/recent-news/"

Youtube Video

I think our next Kitty Kick Stix will have to be one of the Salmon Kick Stix.

You can click on any of these links to purchase your own today & give back to kitties in need. If you use the code blogmama you'll receive 15% off your order. Also, enter both of my giveaways for a chance to win 1 of 2 15" Kitty Kick Stix!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my review and watch our unboxing video on Youtube! I wish you the best of luck if you enter the giveaways!

Babybjörn Soft Bib - Trybe Review

2018-02-27T15:09:00.001-08:00

*I was given a gift card to purchase the product mentioned below in exchange for my honest review. Although I might have received a free product, all opinions are all my own and not influenced because of the incentive.

I'm back again with another product to review from Trybe and this time it is a Babybjörn Soft Bib.

With the BabyBjörn brand, I think the only product I have ever owned from them was probably a soft infant carrier. My knowledge on this brand is limited but I am always willing to try something new and provide my honest feedback on the product.

Now I have to admit, I do not think there was such a product back when my other children were younger, or I just didn't know about them at the time. If I did know about them, however, I don't think I would have ever purchased a cloth bib as they really do nothing in the way of helping contain the mess and then you have a gross bib to put in the washing machine. Most likely the bib is stained afterwards as well and it just looks unattractive after awhile.

Jonathan recently turned 1, and with that, he’s

been exploring new textures and tasting new food. Right before he turned 1, I started feeding him more food that we were eating at the time instead of just his baby food pouches and milk. He’s really getting the hang of it, too!

(For generic silicon bibs)

I must admit, I own a couple soft bibs similar to this one. I thought they were great since they are also washable/dishwasher safe and easy to get on and off. The difference is that the little “trough” to catch the food is flimsy and doesn’t do a great job of keeping a lot of food off of the baby.

With the Babybjörn Soft Bib, it is soft to the touch, but the whole bib is not flimsy at all. The food stays in the little pocket and baby is not as messy as he was previously, which makes this mama happy because there’s less cleanup!

Before

After

Now, I have to have a small gripe because, well everyone wants to hear the good and the bad, right? Jon, looking as cute as he does in this picture, he’s actually pulling the little white fastener out and taking the bib off. I do like it to be easy to remove, (for me!) but not for my baby. I think an extra added slot to stick this adjustable fastener in would be great so the bib stays on until I’m ready to take it off of him.

What do you think? Have you ever used this bib or maybe you’re interested in learning more about it or purchasing it? It comes in a variety of colors and a few are together as a set as well.

Kitchfix Grain-Free Granola - Review & Giveaway

2018-01-26T13:40:00.001-08:00

*I was sent these products to test and review for free. While I may have been sent free product, all opinions are honest and my own. I am also hosting my very first giveaway that you can see posted at the bottom of this review. The winner will be notified on February 21st when the giveaway ends.*

I am in no way qualified to give any kind of dieting advice so when I talk about things in this post it is from my own personal experience and preference as well as my honest opinions.

Have you ever tried to make your own granola or bought your own to try and eat a little healthier but you just didn't like the flavor or how it turned out? Were you looking for a Paleo friendly option but couldn't find something with clean ingredients that was also grain free?

If you answered yes to either of these questions then I might have an answer for you.

Kitchfix Honey Pecan Grain-Free Granola & Kitchfix Original Mix Grain-Free Granola

Eaten by the handful, on-the-go, hiking/backpacking or camping, as cereal with your favorite type of milk, and so much more...

I think this granola is the best I've ever tried because it is so delicious and I can't just stop at one handful. Every once in awhile you get a nice big chunk of granola and I personally enjoy that. My favorite granola right now has got to be the Honey Pecan but I did see that Kitchfix sells more than just these on their website.

You see this granola not only has NO artificial flavors, NO refined sugars, and NO secret ingredients like others with empty fillers, you know you are getting all natural ingredients and it's packed full of nutritional benefits.

The Kitchfix Honey Pecan Grain-Free Granola ingredients are almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans, cashews, honey, maple syrup, coconut oil, flax seeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt. You can click the highlighted link to see the nutritional information and more if you like.

The Kitchfix Original Mix Grain-Free Granola ingredients are almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, raisins, maple syrup, unsweetened coconut chips, cashews, walnuts, coconut oil, vanilla extract, flax seeds, cinnamon, and sea salt.

Now here comes the fun part! I appreciate you taking the time to read my review, and if this granola sounds like something you would like to purchase and give it a try, then I encourage you to enter to win this bundle in my current giveaway.

Thank you and please share this blog post if you enjoyed reading it and would like others to join in on the giveaway.

I also want to again thank Review Directory and Kitchfix for providing this delicious granola for me to try and review for free as well as setting up a giveaway for my readers.

HORMEL GATHERINGS® Party Trays - Review

2017-12-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

*I received free product in exchange for my honest review.*

https://instagram.com/p/BcIfgWcl8VD/

No matter the occasion, Hormel has got you covered with their HORMEL GATHERINGS® Party Trays. From game day and party planning to holidays with friends and family you will be better prepared with this easy and stress free options for a get together you might be hosting soon. Be sure to head to your local Walmart or check http://www.hormel.com/Locator to see where you can find HORMEL GATHERINGS® Party Trays today!

⤵️Review⤵️

We tried HORMEL GATHERINGS® Party Trays in Hard Salami & Pepperoni and also Honey Ham & Turkey. They were both delicious and helped while my family was getting anxious about our Thanksgiving meal being ready at a decent time. I loved how everything was individually packaged so the crackers were nice and crisp and the meats were very flavorful. I would pull the crackers out once opened and put them in a baggie for later just to make sure they stay fresh. I most certainly will recommend these party trays for any event that you need something quick and simple that also does not require any effort from you other than going to purchase it and opening everything up. The price (which could change so I won’t mention it unless you ask me personally) was decent and if you look on the packaging you can also get a few dollars knocked off your purchase, which is wonderful! They also come in a bigger size and not but a couple more dollars, so it’s a win either way! Check them out today, you won’t regret it!

Links

Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup - Trybe Review

2017-11-15T14:43:00.002-08:00

*I was given a gift card to purchase the products mentioned below in exchange for my honest review. Although I might have received free products, all opinions are all my own and not influenced because of the incentive.

Blogging Mama for Trybe again and I have something cool to share with you today!

I am a mom of 4, so you can imagine, I have tried out a lot of products with my children over the years. It has been 7 years now since I have had a little baby in the home and of course products change all the time.

My almost 9 month son, Jonathan, is just now trying out sippy or trainer cups. There's a bit of some mixed emotions with that because he is growing up so fast it seems that he's not much of a baby anymore. He did not really like some of the traditional cups and has never really wanted to hold a bottle much less a cup.

Here's where I got excited, because as soon as I handed the Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup to him, he just figured it out right away and started drinking out of it. That was a proud mom moment for sure!

My only thing really is that while it doesn’t spill if tipped over it does make a mess if banged and slammed around. If you’re okay with that then it shouldn’t be a problem. I knew it wouldn’t be 100% mess free either as with many other things that kids get into.

This product is new and different to me. I liked that it has handles for little hands to grasp. I tried it out myself and found it really easy for the liquid to come out by just placing my lips on the sides of the silicone lid. Everything comes off extremely well and even easier to clean. You’ve got the silicone top, handles, and cup. That’s it! No hidden pieces to remove and make sure the cup gets a thorough cleaning. I was very impressed and thankful that I ordered the two pack.

You can purchase these on Amazon in a variety of colors and styles to fit whatever stage your child is at currently. I am sure if I looked around the internet I could find them at other retailers as well but it made more sense to purchase online since I have a Prime account and I got them very quickly.

Hi-Chew Taste Test - Trybe Review

2017-08-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

*We received a free package of Hi-Chew to try and review from Trybe. You can get cool things to try and review for yourself, join here: https://trybe.com?ref=bloggingma

My children love Hi-Chew candy but I have never tried it before. Once we received our bag we just had to get into it. Watch our YouTube taste test video below for a more authentic review.

A long lasting chew that did remind me of gum texture. They were very flavorful as well.

These were so delicious that we gobbled up the whole bag during our taste test! 😂
🍏🍓🍇🍏🍓🍇

I saw other varieties at our local stores and would be very interested in trying more in the future, especially the Fizzies. Here's a link to their products and where you can buy them.

bloggingmama

Jarro-Dophilus Probiotics for Women and Children - Moms Meet Review

2017-08-19T18:56:00.003-07:00

*I was given the products discussed below from Moms Meet in order to test and review. Although I may be compensated for my review all opinions are my own unless otherwise noted.*

So, the word "probiotic" is completely new and different to me. I really don't go out of my way to research products with them in it and why it may or may not benefit me or my family. I have a lot to learn apparently.

I would like to help my children and I stay healthy so I decided we would try these out. Please do your own research to form your own opinion of these products.

What are probiotics? Why do we need them? What do they do? Are they safe?

These are some questions that came to mind when I received the Probiotics Collection that contained: JARRO-DOPHILUS® WOMEN, FEM-DOPHILUS® SHELF STABLE, JARRO-DOPHILUS® INFANT DROPS, & YUM-YUM DOPHILUS®.

According to my very limited research, the reason you may take a probiotic product is to help with digestion. It provides live healthy bacteria to replace harmful bacteria in the body which helps protect and quite possibly prevent diseases and other harm to you.

At first, I was worried about the safety of these products but later felt more at ease when I did a little of my own research. I have a baby and 3 other children so I always want to make sure that what I am giving them will not cause any harm.

The JARRO-DOPHILUS® INFANT DROPS were easy to give to my then 5 month old as I just put the required amount of drops in his bottle with formula sometimes and other times I mixed it in with his baby food.

The YUM-YUM DOPHILUS® actually tastes great and is easy to chew. My 3 older children and I enjoyed these. My oldest son normally has digestion problems and I think this actually helped him out when he needed it. If nothing else, I think he will continue using these chewable tablets.

As for the JARRO-DOPHILUS® WOMEN & FEM-DOPHILUS® SHELF STABLE capsules, I do not currently have an issue that I would really need these and did not notice a difference in my body after taking them. I do not see myself buying them really in the future. I also did not like the smell that these put off right from the container.

With each product there was some things I liked and things I did not. While the Yum-Yum Dophilus tablets had to be refrigerated they were in a nice aluminum foil packet where each one was sealed. The raspberry flavor was actually pleasant to taste. The Infant Drops seemed to be the texture of just coconut oil and flavorless. I kind of wish you didn't need to shake the bottle to get the drops out and maybe have used a little dropper with exact measurements. When shaking I could not always tell if I was getting all 10 drops out or more at a time. It wasn't too big of a deal though. These did not need to be refrigerated which was nice. The Jarro & Fem Dophilus did not need refrigerated and were in a bottle and blister package individually contained. I do not see paying the amounts I am seeing online for any of the products but I would recommend these to others.

(Photos added tomorrow hopefully)

Chick-fil-A Mom Panel Advice Questionnaire

2017-08-11T10:37:00.001-07:00

With the closing of the 2016-2017 Chick-fil-A Mom Panel coming to an end I wanted to show my appreciation to Chick-fil-A by participating in this mom survey that was posted in the Facebook group yesterday. I thought I would share my answers with my audience as well so you can get a bit of insider scoop of some activities we get to participate in during the year. I will be sharing a few more things here and there now that I have a little time again.

Answering these questions for Chick-fil-A was an honor and if they choose some of my answers they may feature it in an article they will put up later on https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/.

Q1. - What is your child’s favorite way to eat Chick-fil-A, and how do you get your child to make healthier choices there? Do you order or do something specific in order for your kids to eat healthy? For example, cut up the food in a certain way, or combine different foods to get your kids to eat it? Do you stack up the grilled nuggets to make it fun?

Al. - Since everyone but the baby is able to eat Chick-fil-A we really don't have to do anything to make them eat there. As far as the fruit, it's been mushy and or sour so they don't tend to want it or don't eat much if they get one. They do love trading in their toy for icecream after they've eaten and played. My 6 year old asks for her free icecream in a cup and gets chocolate sauce on it and they happily oblige. My oldest 2 got jealous when she did that so now sometimes they get it that way too. I think a fun way to eat nuggets and waffle fries would be to make the fries be the bread and put the nuggets in between then make it into a sandwich.

Q2. - How do you deal with picky eaters?

A2. - I taught her how to use and make simple meals on the foreman grill. She actually wants to learn to make food so why not start now? She's almost 7 and can now make quesadillas, grilled cheese, mini tortilla pizzas, and a few other small things. Nothing fancy or hard but simple enough for her to make with my supervision and she doesn't go hungry because she's made something she will want to eat.

Q3. - What is your child’s favorite after-school snack, and how do you get your child to eat healthier snacks instead of junk food?

A3. - They are not big snack eaters and normally don't want junk food after school. I normally will serve a big bowl of cut up fruit or veggies with a little something to dip if desired. This tends to keep them happy until dinner but the older 2 do not get home until 5 so usually just go straight into dinner.

Q4. - What is your favorite on-the-go breakfast?

A4. - We have been trying some healthier protein bars just for kids recently. They don't have added bad ingredients so you know what you're giving them. They sometimes like a little drinkable yogurt, fruit like apple or banana, or a boiled egg or two.

Q5. - What’s your favorite “me time” activity, and how do you make time for yourself?

A5. - Haha! What's that?! With 4 kids it's nearly impossible to have me time and with a baby it's even harder. I do try and get a warm bubble bath and let dad take over with the kiddos for at least 30 minutes. I will also try and get a walk or run in. My 2 oldest children were playing Pokemon so I found it a treat to just get out of the house and go walking with them around our community catching Pokemon with them just to spend more time with them. I also hunt for free things online, grab a bowl of icecream, go out with a friend, play an online game on the phone or computer, or indulge in a show or movie I've wanted to see.

Q6. - How do you transition your kids for bedtime? (For example, at the beginning of the school year.)

A6. - During the summer they do not have a set bedtime but once school time comes we try to do a week or two in advance. They need to start turning in their phones and being in their beds by 8 or 8:30 for the 6 almost 7 year old and 9:30 or 10 for the 12 and 13 year old. This just gets them in the habit of having a bedtime again and going to bed a little earlier then wakeup around the time they will start for school in the morning without being too grumpy because they stayed up too late.

Q7. - How do you avoid over-scheduling?

A7. - We typically take a poll with the kids and see what they are interested in that year to participate in. For now my oldest daughter is only interested in choir and art. She might participate in clubs for them but this year she has them as classes. As for my oldest son he has Boy Scouts on Monday and shooting club on Wednesday. In the past when we had something every night or more than one thing built up it just stressed us out. We try to avoid this as much as possible and it leaves more time for family and down time which we need to not be overly stressed from a busy schedule.

Q8. - What is your child’s favorite Chick-fil-A menu item?

A8. - They all like different things for different reasons. Of course the nuggets but for dessert they like the frosted lemonade, watermelon mint lemonade, and icedream in a cup with chocolate syrup. They always like their treats after they have played and finish their meal then trading in their toys for their treats.

Q9. - What is your best time-saving tip or trick? Both for eating a meal with little time to spare, or for saving time in general?

A9. - Ordering at home with the app then pickup is fast and easy! Ordering with the app in the restaurant is just as fast and easy as well. As far as any other tips for saving time...I wish I had the answer but would love to hear from others that know how.

Q10. - How does your family do dinnertime?

A10. - When things get busy and hectic or we just don't know what to do for dinner and everyone starts getting hangry we just head to Chick fil A. There's something there for everyone to choose from and make us all happy again. We get to spend time together as adults while the kids play and then as a family. The more meals we can sit down as a family to enjoy together and share our day with one another the better and we can thank Chick fil A for helping achieve that if even just once a month.

Q11. - Any other must have advice you’d like to offer to other moms?

A11. - I always try to keep baby wipes on hand. It helps clean up messes in a pinch. I also use them for other things like after I've sneezed or need to wipe someones hands. I also keep hand sanitizer with me to help fight germs on the go. A small snack like Cheerios or a snack bar for when you're on the road and not near a Chick fil A just yet. Sometimes when we are in Chick fil A they have Cheerios for the little ones which is great to have. When my kids get a disposable placemat for their food sometimes I grab one for me. I like my food to be on a clean surface and you don't always know if someone just finished eating at the table you were at and if it is clean. This goes for any restaurant so why not take a few with you to have on hand in a questionable situation like that. We sometimes use them the mats at home for a messy craft for easy cleanup and would be perfect for a high chair to make it easier to clean after a baby has had baby food or finger foods. I could think of so many situations I might use the disposable mats for and I am glad they are almost always available at our local Chick fil As.

You can sign up for MomSelect today and participate in fun panels like Chick-fil-A Mom Panel too. They will send you a registration survey to fill out and if you are a good fit then they will send you another email later letting you know that you are in the panel.

It has been so much fun participating in the 2016-2017 Chick-fil-A Mom Panel this year and I hope I am selected to participate for yet another year. If you get to apply then I hope you are selected too!

Sophie la Girafe infant teether by Vulli - Trybe Review

2017-07-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

* I was given a gift card to purchase Sophie the Giraffe on Amazon as an influencer for Trybe. All opinions are my own unless otherwise noted and not influenced by the incentive.*

Well, I've been with Trybe almost a year now and just a couple months being an influencer with them. In that time I have tested and reviewed Philips Avent Pacifiers, Gerber Childrenswear Burp Cloths, Sophie, and 3 other products I will be posting reviews about in the upcoming weeks. I am enjoying testing the products with my family and sharing my opinions with everyone. I so appreciate everyone taking the time to read my reviews, it really does mean a lot to me. Thank you!

I was so very excited when I got the original invitation to apply for testing on Sophie the Giraffe. Why you may ask? It's only because I have seen and heard so much about this popular infant teether and was hoping my little drooling 5 month old would get to test it out for himself.

I stalked my email often, and once I got accepted, I purchased her right away with an Amazon gift card that Trybe provided for me. This gift card not only covered the price of Sophie la Girafe or a variety of other Vulli products but also any extra cost for shipping.

I remember the day Sophie arrived so clearly. I was super happy my package was delivered and I opened it right away. My son, Jonathan, couldn't take his eyes, hands, or gums off of her once I gave the giraffe to him. He would sling her around and bop himself on the head, it was quite funny! He's been chewing, drooling, and playing with her ever since and I think he's played with her the most out of all the other toys he has.

As a mom, I'm happy that the teether is soft and doesn't hurt him when he's swinging it around as some toys actually do make him cry if it hits him. I love that when he's whiny and teething, he will chew on her and seems happy again. Every part of her can be chewed on and grasped quite well. She's pretty to look at and I feel better about giving him this toy as it's made with 100% natural rubber and painted with food-grade paints. Plus, she squeaks in several places when she's squeezed and even when he smacks her around and gums her to death, poor Sophie! I love that her squeak is gentle and doesn't make me want to pull my hair out or throw her out the window like some other obnoxious toys we've had in the past. He just loves her because she's new and interesting, I do believe.

I read the reviews concerning mold which made me think twice about this purchase. I'm hoping that the reviews were from people who sterilized her when the packaging clearly said not to. I'll wipe her down with a cloth if needed. Please be my guest and do your research before deciding on if you should or shouldn't purchase Sophie the Giraffe. Also make sure to always read the instructions. You may think you're doing something to prevent mold when quite possibly it would be the opposite. Here's how to clean your Sophie.

My only real gripe is that probably not even a week of having Sophie, I noticed that the paint was being gnawed off or fading. He doesn't have teeth yet so I guess that's just bound to happen eventually. I don't really need to worry though because like the Sophie the giraffe website says, she's made with safe food-grade paints.

Want free products to try out and review as well? Follow this link and sign up!

Can't you tell that Jon & Sophie are best buds now? 💓

NEW Go & Grow pouches by Similac at Walmart - SheSpeaks Review

2017-07-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

*This post was developed in partnership with Similac. All opinions are my own unless noted otherwise.*

As a SheSpeaks blogger I sometimes get opportunities to test and review products and this time I was asked to purchase a new product from Similac called Go & Grow with a Walmart gift card.

I was unaware that Similac even made baby food so I was curious to find out more and let my little guy try it out.

Off to the store we went...

After arriving at our local Walmart, we headed straight to the Baby section where the baby food is hanging out. It was super easy to find!

We picked out some yummy goodness for our little one to try but it wasn't until after we got home that I realized I had gotten 3 for baby 6+ months and 1 for toddler. I decided it really wouldn't be an issue since he would be trying small amounts of each in a little taste test and getting his reactions to each pouch.

* Blue Bowl - Go & Grow by Similac Pouches with OptiGRO™, Sweet Potato, Apple, Carrot Puree, For 6+ Months, Organic Baby Food, 4 ounces
* Clear on Right - Go & Grow by Similac Pouches with OptiGRO™, Pear, Mango, Spinach Puree, For 6+ Months, Organic Baby Food, 4 ounces
* Clear on Left - Go & Grow by Similac Pouches with OptiGRO™, Pumpkin , Banana, Carrot Puree, For 6+ Months, Organic Baby Food, 4 ounces
* Yellow Bowl - Go & Grow by Similac Fruit and Veggie Pouches with OptiGRO™, Apple, Butternut Squash, Banana, Blueberry Puree, For Toddlers, Organic Baby Food, 4 ounces
(make sure that the pouch matches the description if you are ordering online/plan to use the free pickup option!)

Baby's 1st Baby Food Feeding

Since this was his first real pureed fruit and vegetable experience, I wanted to document the occasion. His big sissy wanted to feed a real baby so I thought why not?! It was precious seeing her bond with him and how she would get him to open his mouth for a bite or lick the spoon in his case.

1st Reaction Video

Youtube link

He totally loved each and every lick he took off of the spoon and I got to admit I thought the pouches all tasted pretty yummy myself. I know that once he gets older he will also enjoy slurping up the pureed goodness. He didn't protest one bit and I won't either but I am sure my reasons are very different than his.

Here's a closer look into what you're getting from each pouch:

* 3-4 servings of combined organic fruits and vegetables! (Wow! I wish it were that easy for my other children! I'm a bit jealous!)

* Non-GMO and Gluten Free

* Packaging does not contain BPA

* One pouch can help meet at least one third of daily recommended intake of fruits and veggies.

So what's OptiGRO™?

According to each pouch, you're not only giving the fruits and vegetables your child needs but also DHA for their brain, LUTEIN for their eye health, and Vitamin E for their growth and development. These things are found in foods that children do not normally eat much of like fish, spinach, and broccoli. Follow highlighted links in my post to find all the nutritional facts.

So if you're looking for basically a healthy smoothie for your little one to get the fruits and veggies they need, I definitely recommend heading to your local Walmart or ordering them online. Go & Grow by Similac pouches were so delicious that they got the approval of not only my son, Jonathan and I, but also my 3 older children.

Check out this #GoAndGrowAtWalmart Giveaway over at SheSpeaks.com! You can win a custom photo book from Walmart Photo to remember all your family outings this summer.

Find exactly what you're looking for on Walmart.com by checking this link out here: Go & Grow by Similac

Ibotta Offer - $0.50 back on any one Go & Grow by Similac Pouch

*Although this post was developed in partnership with Similac, all opinions are my own unless noted otherwise.*

Gerber Childrenswear Burp Cloths - Trybe Review

2017-06-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

So I recently joined an Influencer site called Trybe where you get to review products for free. Click the highlighted link to join Trybe with me!

The cute designs of these burp cloths were hard to resist. When shopping online I noticed that all the styles offered were totally different from the ones in the original invitation to try them out. I went with the cute hippo and alligator prints. I noticed they also had the same styles in a more traditional burp cloth that covers the entire shoulder which is more ideal with a floppy baby during burp time.

The material feels like a bath towel and is not soft which I would have thought it would feel like. Besides it being cute and smaller, (which makes it look a lot better than a giant white cloth on your shoulder) I still prefer and would buy the same prints in the bigger cloth versions as it covers more area and if the baby spits up on you it's likely to stay on the cloth than get on you and your clothes. I mainly used these like a bib while my son drank his bottle and he also used it like a little lovie blanket to cuddle with.

Philips Avent Pacifiers - Trybe Review

2017-06-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

So I recently joined an Influencer site called Trybe where you get to review products for free. Click the highlighted link to join Trybe with me!

My Influencer Video on Instagram

I was selected to review Philips Avent Pacifiers and was sent a gift card to purchase them online or at a local store.

I purchased 2 sets. A Soothie Pacifier set for 0-3 months and a Nighttime Pacifier set for 6-18 months.

So...my son has been testing these new pacifiers out for about a month now and I still don't know what to think of them. He's not been one that just has to have a paci 24/7 and he keeps spitting them out. About the only time he will keep them in is when he's ready for bed.

What I do like is that the one set is glow in the dark. As you can see in the photos, they really do glow! That could come in handy but we really haven't needed these in a situation where he has to have one to be soothed.

The other set I decided on getting to see if he liked them better without a stuffed animal attached. Didn't matter to him, he just didn't want it!

He's 3 months old right now so I got a newborn set and another set as he grows a little bit more.

I'm not really liking the shape the pacifier has above his mouth. It just seems a bit bulky and I think that could be why the result is that he constantly spits it back out.

Overall, I'll give these a little bit more time for a final verdict but currently these are just okay and we will probably continue using the ones we had before our test just because he's familiar with them.

Update:

Well I hate to say it but he just really does not like these pacifiers. They are flat and don't hug his face like all the others I've given to my children. The edges just stick out and it doesn't even look like he can keep the whole thing in his mouth. For the soothie ones I really don't know why they don't work for him. Maybe they are too slippery. He's okay for a second and then they both come out. He sometimes will take them at night but only as a last resort. Even then he's likely to spit them out. Their bottles on the other hand work just fine but I don't think we will be buying pacifiers from this brand based on his personal preference.

DIY Upcycling Challenge

2017-02-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

*I am part of the Chick-fil-A Mom Panel. From time to time I'm given promotional cards and other items for participating in various ways with the group. I love being a #ChickfilaMom!

Around Valentine's Day I was sent 2 cards for soup and 2 cards for breakfast items at Chick-fil-A. The enclosed letter challenged me to use the cards for the soup and keep the containers to upcycle into something new.

Being that I just had a baby, it's been pretty difficult with 4 kids to get up to Chick-fil-A like we had been able to previously. I was just now able to get to the restaurant today and pick up my soups as well as my New Mommy Meal (more about that at a later time!)

I already had several ideas in mind and I was given another card for soup in a separate envelope. My kids helped me come up with a seed starter or mini greenhouse for one container. This will have our milkweed sproutlets growing in it. I also thought a baby bank would be cute for another. The last container I came up with was for a wipes dispenser or maybe even a container for trash bags.

I really enjoyed this challenge as I like to get crafty when I can and I am always saving items to use in projects later. This got me and my kids thinking outside the box and helping to reduce, reuse and recycle things into something useful around the house that we didn't know we needed.

I've taken a few pictures for this post but still need to finish eating the soup and creating the diy projects since I am barely getting any extra time for myself right now with a newborn. Pictures and anything extra I may need to add will be up after lunchtime tomorrow and no later than 6 tomorrow night.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post and please follow me/share my posts if you like them and want to see more posts like this one in the future.

Himalaya Botanique Complete Care Toothpaste - Review for Moms Meet

2016-10-21T10:36:00.003-07:00

*I received this product for free from Moms Meet who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are all my own unless otherwise noted.

Today's topic is toothpaste...

A lot of toothpastes out on the market today have several things in common and that would be that they are actually bad for your body. Why do we need added ingredients in our toothpaste that do more harm than good?

Recently my family and I were given the opportunity to test out a brand that has been around since 1930 and is family owned. We had never heard of them before but were willing to see what they were all about.

Himalaya Botanique Complete Care & Whitening Toothpastes are fluoride, carrageenan, sodium lauryl sulfate, & gluten free.

You can read each ingredient and look up it's benefits online. Some of those happen to be neem leaf, pomegranate, triphala, and xylitol.

Retailing at $5.99 you can find these toothpastes here on their website: www.himalayatoothpaste.com

Full line of flavors include: Whitening Complete Care Simply Peppermint, Whitening Complete Care Simply Mint, Complete Care Simply Peppermint, Simply Mint, Simply Cinnamon, Simply Spearmint and the Original Neem and Pomegranate toothpaste.

Our personal testing experience...

We took a family vote after trying each variety and did not really enjoy the flavors all that much. I was told it kind of tasted like old or expired toothpaste and it almost had a medicine type flavor. For me since I have really sensitive gums and teeth right now, the cinnamon variety made my gums bleed a little bit. I think the mint was just okay but it took a lot of getting used to. I will say that it did pretty well in the whitening department.

Would we as a family consider buying this product in the future? I really don't think so. As far as I know, the toothpaste is only able to be purchased online and I don't make that many purchases online especially for toothpaste. Also, we all enjoy different flavors and we like it to taste good, not leave a weird aftertaste in our mouth.

Would I recommend to friends and family? Only if they came to me asking what I thought about toothpaste and healthier options. For the whitening side of toothpastes I would for sure recommend these to anyone that asked.

The cute tote bag, zipper pouch, and toothbrush were a nice touch to this kit. I am now going to be looking into the entire range of products that the site offers and you can do the same at: www.himalayausa.com/products

Cottonelle Mega Roll VoxBox from Influenster - Review

2016-10-09T21:18:00.001-07:00

* I was given a complimentary Cottonelle #OnAMegaRoll VoxBox from Influenster and Cottonelle.

All opinions are my own unless otherwise noted!

As a family of 5 and sometimes sharing a bathroom with more than one person throughout the week, we are bound to go through some toilet paper. We all have a specific preference in what we like and don't like when it comes to toilet paper. I think I speak for my entire family when I say that we enjoy our toilet paper roll lasting a bit longer, that it be soft but strong enough to not tear on you as you wipe, and that it does a great job cleaning up the first time.

That's where Cottonelle Clean Care comes in!

4 rolls in 1...the package says...

I was impressed and it takes care of all of our toilet paper needs.

The clean ripple texture is designed to clean better and it really did it's job!

Why use any other toilet paper when these mega rolls last longer, are softer, and do their job the first time around?

*Thanks again to Cottonelle and Influenster for sending this #OnAMegaRoll VoxBox for me to test and review free of charge!

{Pics coming tomorrow!}

Bobs Red Mill - Taste Test Review for MomsMeet - Unboxing Kids

2016-08-02T16:06:00.001-07:00

*I was selected to be a Bob's Red Mill Influencer as a part of the Moms Meet community. I am a Mom Ambassador & also a Mom Blogger there. I was given a few coupons, (8) single serve oatmeal cups, a bobble head of Bob, and a few informative items to read over, all for free for testing and reviewing purposes!*

As part of this new program on Moms Meet, I was asked to submit a product review video. I left this up to my 'Unboxing Kids' to do a taste test review.

I like oatmeal but normally don't eat it a lot for breakfast, especially in the summer months. I was curious about this program as I had never tried Bob's Red Mill products apart from some flour I recently bought at my local grocery store. I had made my own oatmeal very similar to the ingredients in these little portable cups but I really liked the idea of having a very easy way to do this with little effort on my part.

Upon opening the box, I inspected the following contents:
*2 of each of the following oatmeal cups - Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon,
Gluten Free Blueberry Hazelnut, Gluten Free Brown Sugar & Maple, & Gluten Free Classic
*a few coupons
*a bobble head of Bob
*2 pieces of paper with more information about the oatmeal cups

I glanced over these papers and here is the information that was found on them:
"Bob's Red Mill Good, To Go. These on-the-go hot cereals are made from a delightful blend of gluten free quick rolled and old fashioned oats, stone ground Scottish oatmeal, wholesome flaxseeds and nourishing chia seeds. Simply add hot water and your delicious, whole grain power breakfast will be ready to eat in just a few minutes. Choose your flavor and take it with you anywhere you roam for work or adventure.

Reasons to ♥ our new Gluten Free Oatmeal Cups:

*Ready in THREE minutes - add hot water or pop in the microwave
*Gluten free (R5 ELISA tested)
*Whole grain
*High fiber and protein, at least 7 grams each per serving
*Hearty - keeps hunger away

#bobsredmill www.bobsredmill.com

Take Bob With You. Anywhere.
Now it's even easier to enjoy the goodness of Bob's Red Mill just about anywhere, thanks to the new Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oatmeal Cups. The convenient carry-anywhere cups feature hearty and healthy blends of whole grain gluten free oats, flaxseeds, chia seeds, fruits, nuts and spices. Available in four delicious flavors and ready in just minutes, Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oatmeal Cups are GOOD, TO GO."

Watch 'Unboxing Kids' do their taste test review for an honest take on these oatmeal cups.

Honest opinion from me, Blogging Mama...

Likes:
*Easy to follow instructions (my children could do it, if they wanted to!)
*Single serving cups
*Very filling
*Variety
*Healthier option than some other brands out there
*Easy to pronounce ingredients and I could understand what each one was. (no surprises!)
*Very quick to make
*Portable
*Can make them your own with fresh fruit, honey, syrup, or other add-ins

Dislikes:
*Caution, Hot! (yes, should be common sense but it can still burn you if you're not careful!)
*Not very flavorful for everything that has been added for flavor
*Following instructions and one was watery more than others

*I would say that the likes outweigh the dislikes by a mile. Since the things that bothered me/us can be avoided by making it how we like it. I still enjoyed these oatmeals a lot more than others out there claiming to be good for you and no hidden ingredients.

So what do you think? Will you give these a try?

Make sure to follow the Youtube video link to actually give the girls a like if you liked their video and if you would like to see them do more taste tests along with their unboxing videos.

We really enjoyed our taste test and hope we will be selected for more in the future for different companies.

(Hopefully adding photos tomorrow!)

Country Crock Campaign - VoxBox Review & Unboxing

2016-04-26T14:26:00.001-07:00

* I received a custom VoxBox for free from Influenster and Country Crock. This product was given to me to test and review. All opinions are my own unless otherwise noted!

When you think of butter, what comes to mind? For me, it's Country Crock! Why? The answer is simple, because it reminds me of simpler times, baking in the kitchen with my grandma. Also, every time you would come over to her home and open her refrigerator for whatever reason, you would see butter containers all over. Inside these containers you wouldn't know if you were going to find leftovers or butter. It was something that always made me laugh and another sweet memory of grandma.

Now, back in the day, I don't remember if there was just one size that the butter came in or not. I don't even remember the flavor it had. It has been a very long time since I have had Country Crock. What I do remember about it is the memories that were made in the kitchen with grandma and hopefully I will be able to pass down some recipes to my children in her honor. Now that's what I call, "memories that will last a lifetime!"

Since growing up and having a family of my own, I've used unsalted butter in recipes with the occasional pinch or two of salt, when needed. I didn't think I was missing out, but one taste of the Original Spread - Country Crock and I was hooked! I couldn't believe how spreadable it was, straight out of the refrigerator, and the salt was balanced quite well. I looked for all kinds of items to spread the butter on and recipes to use it in.

Check out our Youtube Video below for a full "unboxing and review" brought to you by Bakin' Katelyn. Make sure to subscribe to us as well!

I will be making followup posts on this that will include some recipes passed down to me from my grandma, our very own #MakeItYours cookie recipe, and quite possibly a secret craft I thought of that would go great with Country Crock.

Please continue to support my blog posts by reading, liking, sharing, and commenting on them! I appreciate the love and support you all give me and it always helps me to continue. I enjoy sharing my feedback with not only you, but the companies that sponsor me.

As always, all links to learn more and to help support me as a blogger will either be highlighted or underlined. Thanks so much and have a great week!

Toosum Healthy Snack Bars - Review

2016-04-15T16:57:00.001-07:00

*Toosum reached out to me on Twitter and asked if I would be interested in sampling their snack bars. Although the products were free to me, my opinions are honest and all my own!*

I am fairly new to the healthier eating club. I have tried a few diets/lifestyle adjustments and have seen results here and there with what I was trying to achieve. As far as snacks, I don't know as much. Recently, I've been avoiding too many carbs unless I'm running, but even then I try to be careful as to what exactly it is that I am eating.

At first glance of each bar, it looks and sounds great! Coconut and banana? Can't go wrong! Something about this one just didn't make it into my top favorite bars though, flavor wise. I was a bit disappointed. I decided I would check out the ingredients.

I was happy to see things that I am already familiar with, like chia seeds and rolled oats. This made me feel better about eating the bars that I was testing and reviewing. My concerns were in seeing the words cane and syrup. Also, upon checking out each bar and seeing it's nutrition facts, I noticed how many carbs are in just ONE bar. Wow, 19 and 20 in another?! This required further investigation, and after seeing this post made on their Twitter account, I felt better about what I was eating. Here is the nutrition facts if you would like to see them for yourself.

I tried the cranberry and acai bar next. The flavors together were not as bad as the first one but still did have that weird aftertaste. I did like the crunchiness that the seeds provided and the smooth textures and smell of each bar.

The cherry and plum wasn't too bad but I was starting to see a trend. I think some of the bars needed more sweetness but if I were in charge, I might go for something like Stevia to sweeten them up. I could be wrong but I think maybe the baking soda added at the very bottom of the ingredients could be the culprit for that off flavor I just can't figure out. I notice when I need it in a certain recipe, that if it is not balanced out just right, it changes the whole thing into something almost inedible. This is on the verge of that in some of the bars, not all.

I saved the best sounding one for last and obviously the best tasting out of the bunch as well! I think I would prefer that all of the bars were flavored like this one. The ingredients did include Greek Yogurt (yum!) and all around rounded out blueberry flavor. The smell and texture was perfect and the taste kind of reminded me of those breakfast pastries as a child. Two thumbs up!

You can click on any photo that you would like to see a bit closer.

Overall, the bars were decent. I don't think I would actively seek them out if they were in the store. Also, I do not make very many purchases online, so I don't think I would buy them there either. However, if I saw them in the store I currently shop at, I might be more likely to buy them. As I have read, currently, they only sell them in a few stores in NY. This would make it kind of impossible for me to get to them as I live in Texas. I don't normally buy snack bars for myself but would be willing to start since I try and get in a few good running sessions throughout the week with my son. Another note, is that the bars actually kept me full, so all I would have to do is to keep hydrated and get out there and get my exercise on!

As always, I hope you have enjoyed reading my product test and review as I try out something new and share it with my readers. Please support me with a compliment (ex. following me on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram, also by liking/sharing & subscribing to my blog postings.) and any links on a blog posting should take you to a page to learn more about a product or show you a bigger picture.

Have a great weekend!

Natra Cure Cold/Heat Therapy Socks - Review

2016-04-13T20:59:00.002-07:00

*I was given a pair of NatraCure Cold/Heat Therapy Socks to test and review for free. All opinions are my own!*

NatraCure reached out to me on Twitter to test and review a product of my choice that was on their list. This was very new and different to me as I normally seek out the companies I would like to review for and also have joined sites that help me find brands that already are looking for people like me. Well, to say the least, I was thrilled to try something new, as I always am.

Upon receiving the product of my choosing, (Cold/Heat Therapy Socks) I examined them carefully. A gel pack was inserted in the front/top and another was placed inside the back where your foot would rest. These can be easily pulled out and put back in, whenever you need them.

I then decided to read the inserts which told me the following:

After checking out the gel packs, (front and back) I felt the inside of the socks, and tried them on. They were very soft and comfortable, also felt true to my size. I could see myself wearing just the socks when not using them for relief. Another good thing is that you can wash them, as long as you remember to take the packs out.

I tried out both hot and cold therapy options on this product and I have to say that I was not a fan of the cold sensation I had on my feet. The heat however, really helped when it was cold outside and after running. I think with the cold packs, I probably had them too cold. I could barely keep them on my feet. My one daughter might like them because her feet seem to always be hot.

Overall, I really enjoy these socks and will be using them in the future. I would have preferred them in the color black, but again, I was given these socks for free to test and review. The color doesn't really sway my vote. What does, is the fact that these are priced at $19.99 on the site and on Amazon. I get that they are therapy socks, and I don't know much about that outside of this product test, so I will let you be the judge. I would give them probably a solid 4. I would love to hear some debate on them if you have tried this product.

Oh, and the site does say this on the page, Money Back Guarantee: Enjoy your Cold Therapy Socks or return them within 60 days for a full refund of the purchase price.

Click on any link that is highlighted to further check this product out and make your own decision on whether or not it would be a good purchase for you.

KISS True Volume Lashes - Review & How-To

2016-02-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

*I received this product free of charge to test and review. All opinions are my own!*

Although I'm an esthetician (facialist) and have put lashes (individual and sets) on others, I really struggled to apply and keep these on. The first time, I was so excited to look hot for my date, I gave myself plenty of time to get ready and not be stressed about how I looked. I watched a few how to videos, just to brush up on the application process. I thought, wow, this is going to be easy! I made a huge mess on my eye, and it looked so bad after I tried to clean up. It looked like I got punched in the eyes and I had to really scrub to remove it. The second time, I used a little less adhesive and a lot more pressure. This time, I really thought it was going to work out, until it just fell off. *Sigh!* Kind of scared to try just one more time, but I will and hopefully I'll have a better report. I feel I failed badly and giving people in my type of work a bad name.

Some positives that stood out to me is how the lashes felt and how long they were. They were very full and more natural looking than some others on the market. I did like the way they looked and soft to the touch.

I would say that it might be better to have someone else apply these for you if you're struggling like I am.

I would, however, recommend these as they do seem more natural looking and to the touch. It is probably just user malfunction than the product itself and I'll gladly come back later and change my review once I make them work for me.

How-To and pictures coming tomorrow!

Garnier SkinActive Party

2016-01-20T20:22:00.002-08:00

*I received these products for free from Crowdtap in the Garnier Crowd, to host a party where we were to test and review the products given*

Please give me a day to get this blog fully posted. I had some great feedback I would love to share with you, my readers. Thank you for your patience and understanding!